Barcelona Itineraries
Our expert advice on what to see and do in the city, whatever your timescale
By Duncan Rhodes 
Need help planning your Barcelona itinerary? You’ve just landed in the right place. On this page you’ll find a variety of unique, and freshly updated, travel itineraries, whether you’re here for 24 hours or a more extensive city break!
Planning a travel itinerary can take hours of research, as well as provide you with plenty of headaches and uncertainties (how do I get from the airport? Do I need to buy tickets in advance for La Sagrada Familia? Are there any areas I need to avoid?), not to mention tough decisions on what to see and what to skip.
If you’ve never been to Barcelona before, you’re bound to make a few mistakes and possibly miss out on some of the city’s top highlights and fun things to do, even if you do a meticulous job of your research.
Well that’s where we come in!
Montserrat Mountain is one highlight worth catching…
We’ve been reporting on Barcelona since 2009, writing for international travel magazines and newspapers like Conde Nast Traveller, The Guardian, Easyjet Traveller, Ryanair Magazine and about a gazillion other media, as well of course penning plenty of articles for Barcelona Life. During that time we’ve become an expert on tourism in the city, from the Catalan capital’s unmissable highlights, to it’s lesser known treasures.
How Many Days Do I Need in Barcelona?
What you can see and do in Barcelona depends largely on how much time you have. While two days is enough to round up the main attractions, I would encourage you to spend at least three days in the city in order to take advantage of some of the city’s other charms… like amazing gastronomic scene, boutique shopping, beach lifestyle and buzzing nightlife.
Stay four or five days and you will have time to explore not only Barcelona, but the surrounding area, where amazing destinations like Montserrat, the Penedes wine region, Figueres and the Dali Museum, Cadaques, Sitges, Tarragona and the Costa Brava all await the intrepid explorer (check out our full list of day tours and trips).
Kayaking on the Costa Brava, just 1.5 hrs from Barcelona
Naturally a city as large as Barcelona has many secrets, and countless cool activities to enjoy, such as sailing and other water sports, street parties, festivals and events, and anyone able to stay 6 or 7 days won’t get bored. In fact, a week is the perfect amount of time to really explore the different districts and catch the vibe of the Catalan capital.
However long you have in the city, even a flying one day visit, we have an itinerary prepared, to help you make the most of that time. Check below for more…
1 Day Itinerary
Only got 24 hours to spare? Ok, challenge accepted! We’ll take a look at how to squeeze the most out of a single day in the world’s greatest metropolis… includes hour by hour breakdown, map, photos and links to buy tickets.
2 Day Itinerary
Jetting into Barcelona for 48 hours? We’ve got you covered with morning, afternoon and evening sessions for two crazy days in the Catalan capital… everything you need to plan your trip!
3 Day Itinerary
Strap in for a wild 72 hours in Barna, baby. Morning, afternoon and evening ideas for all three days, along with alternative suggestions so that you can remix and personalise your agenda!
More Itineraries…
We’ll be back soon with advice on how to spend 4, 5, 6, 7 or more days in the Catalan capital.
In the meantime, you can get plenty of inspiration on what to do in Barcelona on this list!
About the Author
Duncan established Barcelona Life in 2009, whilst freelancing for the likes of Conde Nast, The Guardian, Easyjet Magazine, CNN Traveller and many more. From interviews with Ferran Adria to revealing the secrets of the city’s poetry brothels, he knows the city inside out… and shares all his best tips right here.